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Editor’s Pick

HKAF Cantonese Opera to perform at Belt Road Intl Music Fest Music Press Asia
Editor's Pick

HKAF’s Cantonese Opera to Perform at Shenzhen ‘Belt & Road’ Internationl Music Festival

The Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF) is proud to announce that its commissioned Cantonese opera, Love in the Bamboo Grove, has been invited to perform at the 2025 Shenzhen “Belt & Road” International Music Festival this September. The upcoming Shenzhen performance follows the production’s successful appearance in mid-September at the World Traditional Opera Festival in Seoul, hosted by the National Theater of Korea, where it played to a full house and received an enthusiastic response. Renowned for its dedication to Cantonese opera, the Festival annually presents at least one production…

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TICF 2025 Composition Festival Thailand Music Press Asia
Editor's Pick

Thailand International Composition Festival 2025 Sets New Benchmark in Contemporary Music

Last weekend, the Thailand International Composition Festival (TICF) returned with bold ambition and fresh talent, staging its most forward-looking edition yet. Held on 16 August 2025 at the majestic Prince Mahidol Hall in Mahidol University, the festival was driven by artistic director Narong Prangcharoen—renowned composer, dean of Mahidol’s College of Music, and composer-in-residence for the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra. At the…

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Natasha world premiere New National Theatre Tokyo Music Press Asia
Editor's Pick

World Premiere Review: Natasha at the New National Theatre Tokyo

On 11 August 2025, the New National Theatre Tokyo (NNTT), Japan’s premier performance venue, launched the boldly imaginative Natasha — a one-act, multilingual opera by Toshio Hosokawa with a libretto by Yoko Tawada. As the third new commission under Artistic Director Kazushi Ono, this production not only continues NNTT’s recent dedication to cultivating Japanese contemporary composers but also stakes a…

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Madama Butterfly Sydney Opera House Australia 2026 Music Press Asia
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Madama Butterfly at Sydney Opera House 2026: Tradition Meets Technology

Sydney, Australia — Opera Australia is set to captivate audiences once again with Madama Butterfly, Puccini’s timeless masterpiece, staged at the Sydney Opera House from 3 January to 25 March 2026. Known for its heartrending score and visually striking staging, this production blends classical operatic storytelling with cutting-edge digital artistry, ensuring it remains a must-see in the global opera calendar.…

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Sami Yusuf Dubai World Expo Music Press Asia
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Sami Yusuf: The Central Asian Voice of Global Music and Spiritual Harmony

Sami Yusuf—born in Tehran of Azerbaijani descent but raised in London—has carved an extraordinary niche as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and storyteller of global music. With over 34 million albums sold, his debut Al‑Muʽallim (2003) unveiled a musical virtuoso blending Sufi, folk, rock, and spiritual traditions from across Central Asia and the wider world. Resonant Live Concerts: From Fez to Expo…

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Bachfest Malaysia 2025 landscape poster Music Press Asia
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Bachfest Malaysia Goes International with Its Biggest Festival Yet

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Bachfest Malaysia is turning ten—and it’s going global. For the first time, the festival will host the International Bachfest Malaysia 2025, themed “Bridging Bach”, from 23–27 July 2025 at two heritage venues in the city: the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) and Quan’s Kitchen at Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown. Expect…

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Choisoojin winner Il Piccolo Violino Magico 2025 Music Press Asia
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South Korean Violinist Choi Soojin Wins Top Prize at 2025 Il Piccolo Violino Magico

A rising star has emerged from this year’s Il Piccolo Violino Magico, the prestigious international violin competition for musicians under 13. Choi Soojin of South Korea (b. 2012) was awarded First Prize, impressing jurors and audiences alike with her musical depth and stage maturity. “Soojin’s performance was not only technically brilliant but emotionally profound — rare in someone so young,”…

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Apostate Intl Premiere KLPAC Review 2025 Music Press Asia
Editor's Pick

Apostate by Gang-a Tsui Theater: A Meditative Force of Ideas That Outpaces Its Form

The Premiere & first impressions In its international premiere at Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre on 21 June 2025, Gang-a Tsui Theater’s Apostate arrived as a daring philosophical theatrical that dares its audience to think—and keep thinking. Renowned for its cerebral storytelling, the Taiwanese troupe didn’t disappoint in delivering a dense and daring performance that investigates themes of belief, resistance,…

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Chocolate song playlist Music Press Asia
Editor's Pick

Chocolate in Lyrics: 10 Songs to Satisfy Sweet Cravings

For something so universally adored, chocolate remains surprisingly underrated. Sure, we gift it on Valentine’s Day, savour it during celebrations, or reach for it when in need of comfort — but do we truly celebrate chocolate for all it represents? Beyond its rich, indulgent flavour, chocolate has long been a symbol of joy, love, and life’s simple pleasures. And today,…

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Somtow Sucharitkul Siam Sinfonietta DBKL 2025 Music Press Asia
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Siam Sinfonietta’s Triumphant Performance at Kuala Lumpur’s Festival Orkestra 2025

Amidst the vibrant cultural tapestry woven by DBKL’s recent orchestra festival, spanning from 31 May to 29 June, a particular hue of passion emerged with the concert aptly titled ‘Colours of Passion’. The evening’s grand unveiling saw the arrival of Thailand’s prodigious Siam Sinfonietta youth orchestra, under the masterful baton of Maestro Somtow Sucharitkul, a figure whose artistry is a…

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